UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke in the House of Commons today to explain how he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for the position of UK Ambassador to the United States. Starmer blamed officials at the Foreign Office for not telling him. 

Reporter Kate Varley joins Fran to discuss the background the controversy, while, Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics assesses if Starmer has done enough to save his leadership. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke in the House of Commons today to explain how he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for the position of UK Ambassador to the United States. Starmer blamed officials at the Foreign Office for not telling him.&nbsp;Reporter Kate Varley joins Fran to discuss the background the controversy, while, Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics assesses if Starmer has done enough to save his leadership.&nbsp;

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.Email: <a class="relay-http-link" href="mailto:behindthestory@rte.ie">behindthestory@rte.ie</a>New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Behind the Story

Starmer says it's 'frankly staggering' he wasn't told that Mandelson failed security vetting

Character references in court have come back under the spotlight after former TD Jim Glennon issued a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy. 

Ramamoorthy was a former government adviser who was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy in 2017. 

RTÉ Legal Affairs Correspondent Órla O’Donnell discusses the details of the case, and why details of who gives character references are often not made public.

Senior Counsel Lorcan Staines also talks about how character references can carry different weight depending on the case, and why he believes consistency should be brought in across different courts.

Character references in court have come back under the spotlight after former TD Jim Glennon issued a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy. Ramamoorthy was a former government adviser who was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy in 2017. RTÉ Legal Affairs Correspondent Órla O’Donnell discusses the details of the case, and why details of who gives character references are often not made public.Senior Counsel Lorcan Staines also talks about how character references can carry different weight depending on the case, and why he believes consistency should be brought in across different courts.

How do character references work?

Why did RTÉ Radio 1 change the familiar tunes attached to its programmes? Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Fran and Eamon to discuss the controversy that erupted over the decision to switch the music and she reveals how many complaints the broadcaster received. 

Later, Fran and Eamon look at the suggestion by a Trump 'Special Envoy' that Italy should replace Iran in the World Cup in June. 

Why did RTÉ Radio 1 change the familiar tunes attached to its programmes? Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Fran and Eamon to discuss the controversy that erupted over the decision to switch the music and she reveals how many complaints the broadcaster received.&nbsp;Later, Fran and Eamon look at the suggestion by a Trump 'Special Envoy' that Italy should replace Iran in the World Cup in June.&nbsp;

Radio 1's new sound and could Italy go to the World Cup? 

The government revealed in the spring economic statement that it is expecting a surplus of €9bn, up from €5bn, however despite the extra money, it's unlikely the purse strings will be opened. Business reporter Adam Maguire joins Fran and Paul to explain how we are awash with money, but can't spend it! 

Later, Retired Vice Admiral of the Irish Navy, Mark Mellet discusses the security threats that Ireland might face ahead of the EU Presidency in July. 

The government revealed in the spring economic statement that it is expecting a surplus of €9bn, up from €5bn, however despite the extra money, it's unlikely the purse strings will be opened. Business reporter Adam Maguire joins Fran and Paul to explain how we are awash with money, but can't spend it!&nbsp;Later, Retired Vice Admiral of the Irish Navy, Mark Mellet discusses the security threats that Ireland might face ahead of the EU Presidency in July.&nbsp;

Starmer says it's 'frankly staggering' he wasn't told that Mandelson failed security vetting

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